A newspaper published by China's Communist Party said Saturday that Beijing voted against a U.N.

resolution on North Korea's human rights record despite "some domestic pressures," urging Pyongyang to be "grateful" about the Chinese vote.

The U.N. General Assembly adopted a resolution calling for referring North Korea to the International Criminal Court for human rights violations this week. A total of 119 nations voted for the resolution and 19 nations, including China, against it, with 48 abstentions.

In an editorial, the state-run Global Times said the Chinese vote against the U.N. resolution "does not mean we endorse the human rights situation in North Korea."

It said the Chinese vote was based on Beijing's long-standing policy of non-interference.

Last week, an all-female propaganda band formed by North Korean leader Kim Jong-il abruptly canceled a three-day concert in Beijing. Both China and North Korea remain tightlipped over the reason of the cancellation.

"The abrupt canceling of a North Korean girl band's planned show in Beijing has also created some sentiments among the Chinese people," the editorial said.

"North Korea should be aware of the fact that the Chinese government made the vote under certain domestic pressures. It should also be grateful," it said.

"North Korean authorities should also strive to provide a positive environment, so that the Chinese public can better appreciate the country," it said.

China, a key ally of North Korea, has expressed displeasure about the North's nuclear weapons program, but defended Pyongyang at the U.N. on other issues, including human rights.

Despite this week's resolution, chances of an actual referral are slim because it is not legally binding. An actual referral should be blocked by China.

North Korea has long been labeled one of the worst human rights violators. The communist regime does not tolerate dissent, holds hundreds of thousands of people in political prison camps and keeps tight control over outside information.

But the North has bristled at such criticism, calling it a U.S.-led attempt to topple its regime. (Yonhap)